Meet our Presenters

CHRISTINA BELLAMY, L.M.H.C., has been a psychotherapist, trainer and consultant in the Tampa Bay area since 1985. Active in the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) of Tampa Bay since 2001, Christina has been a part of the team that offers weekend AVP workshops in Coleman prison. Christina has been an avid organic gardener for over 40 years, and has shared her wisdom in many "Spirituality and Nature" workshops at the Franciscan Center since 1995.

JILL BIEBEL has worked in education and various parish ministries. As a mother and grandmother, Jill has contributed countless volunteer hours to a wide range of non-profit organizations, including a term as President of the Board of Directors of the Franciscan Center, where she remains active on the Program Committee. Jill graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Sociology.

MOLLY BIEBEL teaches mathematics at St. John Greek Orthodox Day School. She earned her B.S. in Mathematics from University of South Florida. She is the mother of 10-year-old Nicholas and an occasional Center presenter.

SISTER CATHERINE CAHILL, O.S.F., a Franciscan Sister of Allegany, is director of the Center. In addition to her retreat work at the Center, Sister Cathy travels widely as a guest presenter at retreat houses across the U.S. Her background in education includes a B.S. in Education from St. Bonaventure University and a Masters in Education from Rhode Island College. She trained as a substance abuse counselor at Lutheran General Hospital in Chicago.

MAUREEN CONNORS, Ph.D., is Co-Director of Programs for the Franciscan Center and Co-Director of Room for the Spirit in St. Petersburg, Florida. Maureen brings her gifts in spiritual development, leadership and transition coaching, workplace spirituality, and storytelling from her own spiritual journey.

PAULA D'ARCY is President of the Red Bird Foundation, a ministry to prisoners and people living in third world or disadvantaged cultures. D'Arcy's ministry grew from personal tragedy. In 1975 she survived a drunk driving accident, which took the lives of her husband and 21 month-old daughter. Pregnant at the time, D'Arcy later gave birth to a second daughter. Afterwards she ministered as psychotherapist to those facing issues of grief and loss, with the Peale Foundation, founded by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. Today her work includes leading workshops and retreats related to spirituality, aspiring writers, and women's gatherings. She has teamed with Richard Rohr to present seminars on the "Male/Female Journey" and "Spirituality in the Two Halves of Life." Paula's book, Red Fire, was selected as one of the "Best Spiritual Books of 2001" by Spirituality and Health magazine.

TIM FLOOD, an alumnus of Notre Dame University, is the first Enneagram teacher in Tampa Bay to be certified by psychologist Helen Palmer and psychiatrist David Daniels, MD, at the Tri Fold School, Berkeley, California. He is also certified in the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) and the BarOn EQi(Emotional Intelligence Indicator) and uses all three tools in his practice as a leadership coach.

JUSTIN LAROSA, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., serves at Hyde Park United Methodist Church as the Director of Equipping and Connecting Ministries. He is a licensed clinical social worker, leads a weekly Centering Prayer group and is drawn to the contemplative dimension of the gospel.

SALLIE LATKOVICH, C.S.J., D.MIN., is a Sister of St. Joseph of Cleveland who is currently Professor at the Blessed Edmund Rice School for Pastoral Ministry in the Diocese of Venice. She is the director of spiritual formation for the school and also facilitates a training program for spiritual directors there. Sallie holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in scripture and spirituality.

CAROL LUDWIG M.A., A.B.D. and MAUREEN SCHLITT B.S.W., M.P.S., and are the co-founders of the Center for Spiritual Care in Vero Beach, FL. Maureen, a long-time spiritual director, teaches in the Orlando Diocese Audire spiritual direction formation program. She has been involved in music and youth ministries for almost three decades. Carol also teaches in the Audire program and has taught with Sacred Heart University and Loyola of New Orleans. She is especially interested in interfaith and feminine spirituality.

DEBRA MCMASTER encountered art as a way of prayer twenty years ago at the Franciscan Center. She serves in music and other ministry at Good Samaritan and Ascension Episcopal Churches in Clearwater. Debra holds degrees in Bible and Theology and Church Music and is enrolled in the Spiritual Guidance and the Contemplative Prayer Group and Retreat Leadership programs of Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation.

CAROL MITCHELL, Ph.D., is a spiritual director and retreat and workshop facilitator with a background in psychology. Carol is Co-Director of Room for the Spirit and Co-Director of Program for the Franciscan Center. She has specialized in the interface between psychology and spirituality and the healing of trauma and abuse.

SISTER JANET SULLIVAN, O.S.F., is a Franciscan Sister of Allegany. She holds an M. A. in Sacred Science and a certificate in Spiritual Direction and Religious Counseling. In addition, she has done extensive work in both dream and mandala interpretation. Her work at present includes the following: directed retreats, ongoing spiritual direction, preached retreats and workshops.

FATHER SAM VACCARELLA, T.O.R., is a Franciscan Friar of the Third Order Regular. As a member of the staff of the Franciscan Center, he leads individuals and groups in a variety of retreat experiences. He provides spiritual direction and facilitates days of prayer and reflection. Father Sam is a trained counselor and has ministered in education and retreat ministry for over 25 years. One of his special interests is leading others to come to know God through storytelling.

MARTI ZEITZ, L.M.H.C., is in her sixth year of employment at Catholic Charities in St. Petersburg. Presently, she offers counseling two days a week at Sacred Heart Parish in downtown Tampa and serves as the Diocese of St. Petersburg's Victim Assistance Minister. She believes she is called to live non-violence and help heal the wounds of the human family.